ALBUQUERQUE - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, will endorse Barack Obama in his bid, the Obama campaign said.

The endorsement is expected to be formally announced Friday during a rally in Oregon, The New York Times reported reported.

Richardson, the country's only Hispanic governor, was courted by both Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. He served as U.N. ambassador and energy secretary in the Clinton administration.

Richardson praised Obama's judgment and ability to be commander in chief in a statement explaining his endorsement.

"I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America's moral leadership in the world," Richardson said in the statement released by the Obama campaign Friday.

Richardson dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination Jan. 10. He drew 5 percent of the vote in the New Hampshire primary and 2 percent of the vote in the Iowa caucuses.